The UN should find suitable methods to include Taiwan in the UN system and live up to the spirit of leaving no one behind, Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) said yesterday.
Taiwan is a responsible member of the international community, and Taiwanese have contributed significantly to international endeavors, but due to China’s influence, Taiwan has only been able to participate in 72 intergovernmental organizations, Wu said at an International Organizations Day event in Taipei.
Beijing continues to pressure the UN to exclude Taiwan, citing an erroneous interpretation of UN Resolution 2758, but that resolution neither mentions Taiwan nor authorizes Beijing to represent Taiwan within the UN, he said.
Photo: Wang Yi-sung, Taipei Times
Resolution 2758 — which recognizes “the representatives of the People’s Republic of China as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations” and expels “the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek” (蔣介石) — passed 76 to 35, with 17 abstentions, on Oct. 25, 1971.
Despite many hardships, Taiwan’s goal of participating in international organizations has received increasing support over the years, including at this year’s World Health Assembly and in statements by Czech President Petr Pavel and representatives of G7 countries.
Wu said that Taiwan has proven to be “a force for good” and could contribute positively to world affairs, as he repeated a call for the UN to find appropriate methods to include Taiwan in the UN.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador to Taiwan Andrea Bowman yesterday said that Taiwan demonstrated great resolve in making itself a globally inclusive democratic country.
Over the past 70 years, Taiwan has increasingly embraced internationalism, as demonstrated by its 2030 bilingual policy and efforts to attract global high-tech talent in artificial intelligence, Bowman said.
While Taiwan has lost some diplomatic allies over the past few years, many citizens of former allies continue to reside in Taiwan, demonstrating their support and recognition of Taiwan, she said.
International Cotton Advisory Committee executive director Eric Trachtenberg said that Taiwan has been a committee member since 1963 and has been an avid supporter of the cotton industry.
During the UN General Debate last month, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said that the global body seeks to include everyone.
“We said leave no one behind, and I think member states have to find a way to make sure that we are not in that position where we’re excluding people,” Mohammed said. “Every person matters, whether it’s Taiwan or otherwise, and I think it’s really important for member states to find a solution.”
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